Packing container

ABSTRACT

A packing container includes a sheet which determines a storage unit which stores content, and the sheet includes a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern that visualizes a latent image when the latent image pattern is overlapped.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application based on a PCT Patent Application No. PCT/JP2015/078332, filed Oct. 6, 2015, whose priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2014-205892 filed Oct. 6, 2014 and No. 2015-151130 filed Jul. 30, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packing container, and particularly relates to a technique preferable for preventing the forgery of a pouch or the like by applying a latent image pattern.

Description of the Related Art

A resin container such as a pouch is used as a refill container or a packing container such as a simplified container.

In recent years, an imitation product of a pouch or the like has been marketed overseas and the like. If such an imitation product is mass-marketed, large loss may be caused. For this reason, there is a demand for a means for preventing the manufacturing of an imitation product at low cost and conveniently. For example, it is considered to attach a seal like a security mark that is provided separately from a container onto a container surface, but if the seal is changed, the seal becomes unhelpful in forgery prevention.

Thus, various methods have been proposed for providing forgery prevention or the like on the container itself.

Nevertheless, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, as for a pouch on which laser processing is not performed, a laser emission process is added for forgery prevention, and manufacturing cost increases.

In addition, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, a manufacturing process such as a process of providing a thermosensitive coloring ink layer is further added, and manufacturing cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and enables forgery prevention for a container such as a pouch by performing visualization at low cost and without increasing the number of processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first aspect of the present invention is a packing container packing content by a sheet, and includes a sheet which defines a storage unit which stores content, the sheet including a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern that visualizes a latent image when the latent image pattern is overlapped.

The second aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described first aspect, it is preferable that the sheet be a laminate including a base material and a sealant layer, a seal portion formed by sealing a rim portion so that the sealant layer opposes be further included, and the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern be provided so as not to overlap the seal portion.

The third aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described first or second aspect, it is preferable that the sheet include a first sheet portion including the latent image pattern and forming a first surface of the packing container, and a second sheet portion including the visualization pattern, opposing the first surface, and forming a second surface of the packing container, and at least either one of regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed be transparent.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described first or second aspect, it is preferable that the sheet be a long sheet forming a first surface of the packing container and a second surface opposing the first surface, by being folded back, and at least either one of regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed be transparent.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described first or second aspect, it is preferable that the sheet include a first sheet portion including the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern, and forming a first surface of the packing container, and a second sheet portion opposing the first surface and forming a second surface of the packing container, the visualization pattern be provided in the first sheet portion so as to overlap the latent image pattern when the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are both folded back, and at least regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed be transparent.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to any one aspect of the above-described first to fifth aspects, it is preferable that the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern be formed by printing.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to any one aspect of the above-described first to sixth aspects, it is preferable that the latent image pattern include a latent image formed by a plurality of periodical first elements, and a background formed by periodical second elements having a different phase, pitch, or array direction from that of the latent image, and the visualization pattern include a pattern formed by a plurality of periodical third elements that visualizes the latent image by being overlapped with the latent image pattern.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described seventh aspect, it is preferable that, in the latent image pattern, the latent image and the background include halftone dots linearly arrayed at a uniform pitch, and pitches of the latent image and the background shift by ¼ to ¾, and the visualization pattern include hairlines having the same pitch as the latent image and the background.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described eighth aspect, it is preferable that, in the latent image pattern, pitches of the latent image and the background shift by ½.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described ninth aspect, it is preferable that a plurality of sets of the latent image patterns and a plurality of sets of the visualization patterns be provided.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described third aspect, it is preferable that the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion form a pouch container.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is that in the packing container according to the above-described fifth aspect, it is preferable that the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion include a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that engage with each other when the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are folded back.

The packing container of the present invention is a packing container for packing content by a sheet, the sheet including a latent image sheet on which a latent image pattern is formed, and a visualization sheet on which a visualization pattern is formed, and in the latent image sheet and the visualization sheet, at least either one sheet of regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed is a transparent sheet, and internal surfaces of the regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed are formed to be able to contact each other. With this configuration, by bringing the internal surfaces of these sheets into contact while containing and storing content in the packing container, and causing the latent image pattern on the latent image sheet and the visualization pattern on the visualization sheet to overlap, the latent image pattern can be clearly displayed so as to be visible. An authentication portion for forgery prevention can be thereby provided on each sheet.

In addition, in the present invention, as the transparent sheet, it is only required that a region in which the latent image pattern or the visualization pattern is formed be transparent, and other regions and the other pattern of one pattern formed on the transparent sheet can be formed on a nontransparent sheet.

In the packing container of the present invention, the latent image sheet and the visualization sheet are laminates each including a base material and a sealant layer, a seal portion is formed by sealing rim portions of the latent image sheet and the visualization sheet so that the sealant layers face each other, and by providing the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern at positions separated from the seal portion, the internal surfaces of the sheets are brought into contact by pushing the laminates while containing and storing content in the packing container, and by overlapping the latent image pattern on the latent image sheet and the visualization pattern on the visualization sheet provided on unsealed portions, a latent image can be made visible.

In this case, when content to be stored in the packing container is liquid, the content is preferably supplied with such an allowance for overlapping the latent image pattern on the latent image sheet and the visualization pattern on the visualization sheet. In addition, while a transparent infill does not interrupt, when an infill formed of nontransparent liquid, powder, or a small solid is used as content, it is necessary to prevent portions corresponding to the latent image pattern on the latent image sheet and the visualization pattern on the visualization sheet from being exposed to the content. In addition, if a latent image pattern on a latent image sheet and a visualization pattern on a visualization sheet are provided in the vicinity of a seal portion, in some cases, an overlapping position deviates and a latent image fails to be visualized and fails to be correctly recognized visually. Thus, they need to be separated from the seal portion by a predetermined distance.

By using the latent image sheet and the visualization sheet of the present invention as a front surface and a rear surface of a pouch container, in the pouch container using a transparent sheet, authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

In the present invention, by the latent image pattern being formed on the latent image sheet by printing, and the visualization pattern being formed on the visualization sheet by printing, the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed by performing printing on the transparent sheet, and only by adjusting these positions, visualization can be performed and authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

In the present invention, the latent image sheet includes a latent image pattern formed by a latent image formed by a periodical pattern, and a background formed by a periodical pattern having a different phase, pitch, or array direction from that of the latent image, the visualization sheet includes a visualization pattern formed by a periodical pattern, and by visualizing the latent image by causing the latent image sheet and the visualization sheet to overlap each other, authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

In the present invention, the latent image sheet has a latent image pattern having points, lines, dotted lines, or the like that are formed as a predetermined pattern, as constituent elements, and a pattern and a background having points, lines, dotted lines, or the like that have a different size from that of the latent image pattern, as constituent elements, or has a latent image pattern and a background having points, lines, dotted lines, or the like of a certain color phase, as constituent elements, and a pattern having points, lines, dotted lines, or the like of another color phase, as constituent elements, and the constituent elements of the latent image have a regular sequence that is not included in the constituent elements of the background, the latent image pattern cannot be visually detected from the background, but the pattern can be detected, the visualization sheet has the visualization pattern serving as a pattern corresponding to the latent image, moiré is generated only in a portion of the latent image pattern by causing the latent image sheet and the visualization sheet to overlap at an appropriate position and angle, and the latent image pattern and the background appear clearly and contrastively, so that authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

In the present invention, in the latent image pattern, the latent image and the background are formed by halftone dots linearly arrayed at a uniform pitch, pitches of the latent image and the background shift by ¼ to ¾, and the visualization pattern is formed by hairlines having the same pitch as the latent image and the background, so that authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

In the present invention, in the latent image pattern, pitches of the latent image and the background shift by ½, so that authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

In the present invention, a plurality of sets of the latent image patterns and a plurality of sets of the visualization patterns are provided, so that authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed.

According to the above-described aspects of the present invention, authentication for forgery prevention or the like can be easily performed only by performing position adjustment of a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern to perform visualization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view illustrating a first embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line b-b′ in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern in the first embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern in the first embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating another example in the first embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a second embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a fourth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 9 is a developed view illustrating a sixth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a state in a manufacturing process in the sixth embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a developed view illustrating a seventh embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a state in a manufacturing process in the seventh embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a developed view illustrating a state in a manufacturing process in the seventh embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a developed view illustrating a state in a manufacturing process in the seventh embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern in an eighth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern in the eighth embodiment of the packing container according to the present invention, and cross sections of plates P1 and P2 corresponding to these.

FIG. 17A is a front view illustrating a ninth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention.

FIG. 17B is a front view illustrating a state in which an upper portion of the packing container of the ninth embodiment is bent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

The first embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1A is a front view illustrating the packing container in the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line b-b′ in FIG. 1A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a packing container 1 according to the present embodiment is a refill container formed by a laminate including at least a base material 11 and a sealant layer 12. The refill container has a standing pouch shape obtained by forming, as two laminates, a main body front surface laminate 2 and a main body rear surface laminate 3, with a sealant layer being provided on an inner side, forming a bottom tape 4 by bending another laminate, with the sealant layer being provided on an outer side, and inserting it between the main body front surface laminate 2 and the main body rear surface laminate 3, and sealing the rim. In the container having a standing pouch shape, the bottom tape 4 expands. Thus, the container can easily become a large-volume container.

As the base material 11 of the laminates 2, 3, and 4, a vapor-deposited layer is formed by vapor-depositing metal such as aluminium and stannum, metal oxide such as silica and alumina, and the like, onto a transparent sheet. In addition, a metal foil film can be attached to the transparent sheet, and the laminates 2, 3, and 4 can further include a print layer, an adhesive layer, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, side seal portions (seal portions) 22 are provided at both end portions of the main body front surface laminate 2 and the main body rear surface laminate 3, and a bottom seal portion (seal portion) 23 is provided at bottom portions of the main body front surface laminate 2 and the bottom tape 4, and the main body rear surface laminate 3 and the bottom tape 4.

At an upper portion of the front surface laminate 2 and the rear surface laminate 3, a discharge nozzle 32 for discharging content is formed together with a filling opening portion 41 and a discharge nozzle seal portion 24. The leading end of the discharge nozzle 32 is sealed by the discharge nozzle leading end seal portion 24, and a discharge port is formed by separating off the discharge nozzle leading end seal portion 24 from an opening notch 35. A plurality of laser cut lines being parallel to an expected opening line may be applied to the vicinity of the discharge nozzle 32 and the opening notch 35.

In the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment, the main body front surface laminate 2 serving as a latent image sheet is provided with a latent image pattern region (latent image pattern) 5 and a display print region 7 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The latent image pattern region 5 and the display print region 7 are each printed using ink. In the packing container 1, the main body rear surface laminate 3 serving as a visualization sheet is provided with a visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The visualization pattern region 6 and the display print region 7 are each printed using ink.

In addition, in at least either one of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3, portions corresponding to the latent image pattern region 5 and the visualization pattern region 6 are transparent, but the other portions such as the display print region 7 and the seal portions 22, 23, and 24 need not be transparent. In addition, if the latent image sheet 2 in a predetermined portion of the latent image pattern region 5 is transparent, the visualization pattern region 6 in a corresponding portion of the visualization sheet 3 may be transparent, or may be nontransparent. Alternatively, if the visualization sheet 3 in a predetermined portion of the visualization pattern region 6 is transparent, the latent image pattern region 5 in a corresponding portion of the latent image sheet 2 may be transparent, or may be nontransparent.

A pair of the latent image pattern region 5 and the visualization pattern region 6 forms an authentication set that makes a latent image visible, by being combined.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, when content to be stored in the packing container 1 is liquid, the content is supplied with such an allowance for causing the latent image pattern 5 of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization pattern 6 of the visualization sheet 3 to overlap each other. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, in a standing (standing position) state, liquid is preferably supplied into the packing container 1 to about a height indicated by a filling line W, and the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are provided to be located on the upper position of the filling line W.

In addition, the packing container 1 such as a pouch has flexibility. Thus, a filling rate of content is smaller than that in the above-described state, and the inside of the container has room. If internal surfaces of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 can be brought into contact with each other or brought closer to each other to a state in which a latent image is visible, the arrangement of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 is not limited to the upper side of the packing container 1.

In addition, while a transparent infill does not interrupt, when an infill formed of nontransparent liquid, powder, or a small solid is used as content, it is necessary to prevent portions corresponding to the latent image pattern 5 on the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization pattern 6 on the visualization sheet 3 from being exposed to the content. In addition, if a latent image pattern of a latent image sheet and a visualization pattern of a visualization sheet are provided in the vicinity of a seal portion, in some cases, an overlapping position deviates, and a latent image fails to be visualized and fails to be correctly recognized visually. Thus, they need to be separated from the seal portion by a predetermined distance (to avoid overlapping the seal portion).

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are provided at positions separated from all of the seal portions 22, 23, and 24 by a certain distance or more. If the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are close to the seal portions 22, 23, and 24, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 may deviate from a position where a latent image can be easily visualized due to the deformation or the like of the sheets 2 and 3 in the formation of the seal, and a latent image may partially fail to be visualized, which is not preferable.

The latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 form a pair with each other, and a specific latent image pattern 5 corresponds to a specific visualization pattern 6. By causing the visualization pattern 6 corresponding to the specific latent image pattern 5 to overlap the specific latent image pattern 5, the latent image can be visualized, and can be made recognizable. On the other hand, even if a visualization pattern not corresponding thereto is caused to overlap, generally, a latent image cannot be visualized, and cannot be made recognizable. Thus, when the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 are formed as sheets forming the front and the rear of the packing container 1, pasting positions in the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 can be matched, and both sheets can be combined and sealed as an authentication set.

In addition, the latent image sheet 2 may be provided with a latent image pattern over the entire surface. Alternatively, the latent image sheet 2 may be provided with the latent image pattern 5 on a partial region. In addition, the latent image sheet 2 can be divided into a plurality of regions, and a latent image pattern can be provided in each of the plurality of regions. In a similar manner, the visualization sheet 3 may also be provided with the visualization pattern 6 on a partial region. In addition, the visualization sheet 3 may be divided into a plurality of regions, and the visualization pattern 6 may be provided in each of the plurality of regions.

The latent image pattern 5 is formed by a latent image and a background, and the latent image and the background are each formed by a periodical pattern. In addition, the visualization pattern 6 is also formed by a periodical pattern.

In the latent image pattern 5, as a periodical pattern forming the latent image and the background, for example, hairlines constituted by a plurality of parallel lines can be used, and a linear margin part is arranged between a line and a line of the plurality of parallel lines. The width of the parallel line and the width of the linear margin part are desirably made the same. In addition, the latent image and the background are formed so that the phases, the pitches, or the array directions of the hairlines become different from each other.

For example, in the latent image pattern 5, hairlines forming the latent image can be formed so as to have a pitch different by ¼ to ¾ with respect to the hairlines forming the background. Furthermore, it is preferable that the hairlines be formed so as to have a pitch different by ½. In this case, the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the background. In addition, because the latent image and the background are relative concepts, the visualization pattern can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the latent image.

In addition, hairlines forming the background can be formed so as to have the same pitch and a phase different by ¼ to ¾ of the pitch with respect to the hairlines forming the latent image. Furthermore, it is preferable that the hairlines be formed so as to have a phase different by ½. In this case, the visualization pattern can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the background. In addition, because the latent image and the background are relative concepts, the visualization pattern can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the latent image.

Alternatively, in the latent image pattern 5, the hairlines forming the latent image can be formed so as to have the double pitch with respect to the pitch of the hairlines forming the background. Also in this case, the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the background. In addition, the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the latent image.

In addition, in the latent image pattern 5, the hairlines forming the background can be formed so as to have a direction different by 45 degrees from the direction of the hairlines forming the latent image. In addition, because the array direction of the hairlines is a direction perpendicular to the direction of the hairlines, by making the hairlines forming the latent image and the hairlines forming the background different by 45 degrees (shifting by 45 degrees), array directions of the hairlines can be made different. Also in this case, the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the background. In addition, the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by hairlines similar to the hairlines forming the latent image.

In addition, in the latent image pattern 5, as a periodical pattern forming the latent image and the background, in place of hairlines, linearly arrayed dots can be used. In this case, the visualization pattern can be formed by dots similar to dots forming the background. In addition, the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by hairlines that can overlap the dot line.

In FIG. 2, FIG. 2(a) is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating halftone dots forming an image in the latent image pattern 5, viewed from the top, FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating hairlines forming the visualization pattern 6, viewed from the top, and FIG. 2(c) is a schematic enlarged diagram illustrating a state in which the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are overlapped.

As illustrated in FIG. 2(a), the latent image pattern 5 is formed by a non-latent image portion (background) 5 a formed by halftone dots having a uniform pitch, and a latent image portion 5 b formed by halftone dots having a pitch shifted by about ½ pitch with respect to the non-latent image portion 5 a. An image is formed by assemblies of halftone dots.

In addition, the latent image portion 5 b may have any shape such as a character, a picture, a symbol, and a pattern, and may be formed to be visible.

As illustrated in FIG. 2(b), the visualization pattern 6 is formed by hairlines 6 a having a pitch equal to the pitch in the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a, and corresponding to the line of halftone dots in the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a.

Here, the pitch refers to an interval in a d direction indicated in the drawings.

If the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are overlapped, as illustrated in FIG. 2(c), the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a and the hairlines 6 a overlap to correspond to each other. Meanwhile, the latent image portion 5 b shifted from the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a and the hairlines 6 a by the pitch of ½ is visualized.

In FIG. 3, FIG. 3(a) is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating halftone dots forming an image in the latent image pattern 5, viewed from the top, FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating hairlines forming the visualization pattern 6, viewed from the top, and FIG. 3(c) is a schematic enlarged diagram illustrating a state in which the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are overlapped.

The latent image pattern 5 illustrated in FIG. 3(a) is the same as the pattern illustrated in FIG. 2(a). In addition, the visualization pattern 6 illustrated in FIG. 3(b) is the same as the pattern illustrated in FIG. 2(b).

If the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are overlapped so that the latent image portion 5 b and the hairlines 6 a overlap to correspond to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 3(c), the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a and the hairlines 6 a are alternately located with being shifted by the pitch of ½ to become like a background, and a blank portion of the latent image portion 5 b that is shifted by the pitch of ½ is visualized to have the same shape as the latent image portion 5 b to become visible.

The display print region 7 indicates display content such as product information, and a multi-colored picture can be formed over the entire region. In the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3, the display contents in the display print region 7 may be equivalent, or may be different. When these are printed, an anchor coat for making the adhesiveness of ink better may be interposed between an ink layer of an image and the surface of the base material 11.

In addition, the latent image pattern 5 can also be formed on the surface of the rear surface laminate 3.

Furthermore, the latent image portion 5 b may be formed into an image having any shape such as a character, a picture, a symbol, and a pattern.

As the laminates 2, 3, and 4, laminates used for a normal soft packaging bag can be used. As the base material 11, paper, a metal foil, a synthetic resin film, or the like that is formed by one layer or a plurality of layers is used. As an example, a synthetic resin film, paper, metal foil, and the like such as low-density polyethylene resin (LDPE), high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene resin (LLDPE), polypropylene resin (PP), polyolefin series resin such as polyolefin series elastomer, polyester series resin such as polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), and polyethylene naphthalate resin (PEN), cellulosic resin such as cellophane and cellulose triacetate (TAC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin, ethylene vinyl acetate series copolymer resin (EVA), ionomer resin, polybutene series resin, polyacrylonitrile series resin, polyamide series resin, polystyrene series resin (PS), polyvinyl chloride series resin (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride series resin (PVDC), polycarbonate resin (PC), fluorine series resin, and urethane series resin that can be used as a transparent sheet 11 a is used alone, or in combination.

In addition, as described above, it is preferable that either one of the laminates 2 and 3 be a transparent sheet.

As the sealant layer 12, polyolefin series resin is generally used, and specifically, ethylene series resin such as low-density polyethylene resin, medium-density polyethylene resin, linear low-density polyethylene resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, or polypropylene series resin such as homopolypropylene resin, propylene-ethylene random copolymer, propylene-ethylene block copolymer, and propylene-α-olefin copolymer is used. In addition, a multilayered film obtained by combining these resins may be used in some cases.

As a specific configuration example of the laminates 2, 3, and 4, a film having a configuration including PET/print layer/adhesive layer/stretched polyamide resin film (hereinafter, abbreviated as “ONY”)/adhesive layer/LLDPE, ONY/adhesive layer/LLDPE, ONY/adhesive layer/ONY/adhesive layer/LLDPE, paper/LDPE/aluminum foil/LDPE, paper/LDPE, and the like can be given as examples.

Because the packing container 1 of the present embodiment is sealed so that the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 can be overlapped corresponding to each other, only by pressing the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3, which are the front and the rear surfaces of the packing container 1, against each other, and bringing the inner surfaces of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 into contact with each other, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 can be overlapped, and the latent image portion 5 b is visualized, so that an image-forming member becomes visible. This can prevent a third party from manufacturing, and prevent forgery.

In the packing container 1 of the present embodiment, linear halftone dots and hairlines are used as the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6. Nevertheless, these need not be straight lines as long as they are in a parallel state, and may be formed into curved lines, circular shapes, circles, and the like.

In the packing container 1 of the present embodiment, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 can be formed by printing print ink on the sheets 2 and 3. At least either one of the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern may be formed by a light reflection film provided along a fine irregularity surface having a light diffraction function. Light is reflected and diffracted by the light reflection film, and furthermore, the reflected and diffracted light has a rainbow design that varies in color depending on an angle at which the light is viewed. Thus, the light reflection film has an esthetic appeal and superior decorativeness. In addition, because copying and imitating are extremely difficult, the light reflection film is further superior in forgery prevention. Such a light reflection film can be formed by causing a sheet coated with thermoplastic resin to continuously travel between a roll around which a matrix having an irregularity pattern forming a diffractive grating having a light diffraction function or a hologram is wound, and a roll forming a pair with the roll, and to pass therethrough to be pressed, and by transferring the irregularity pattern.

In the packing container 1 of the present embodiment, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 serving as an authentication set are formed on the main body front surface laminate 2 and the main body rear surface laminate 3. Nevertheless, as illustrated in FIG. 4, as a packing container 1A, in addition to the authentication set, an additional authentication set can be arranged at a bottom portion side position of the packing container 1, that is, an authentication set can be formed on the main body front surface laminate 2 and the bottom tape 4, or on the main body rear surface laminate 3 and the bottom tape 4.

In this case, the content is moved to an upper portion in a standing (standing position) state of the packing container 1A, and the bottom tape 4 and the lower end of the sheet 2, or the bottom tape 4 and the lower end of the sheet 3 are sandwiched and pressed, whereby a latent image can be visualized and made visible in a region provided with the additional authentication set. In this example, in a state in which a latent image does not become visible in a display state of the packing container 1A serving as a product, true-false determination or the like can be performed as necessary using the additional authentication set.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a packing container in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a difference from the above-described first embodiment lies in an outline shape of the container and a bottom portion shape, and corresponding components other than these are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

A packing container 1B in the present embodiment is not provided with the laminate 4 serving as a bottom portion, and only the sheets 2 and 3 serving as the front and rear surfaces of the pouch container are sealed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the packing container 1B, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 serving as an authentication set that makes a latent image visible, by being combined are formed on the sheets 2 and 3 serving as the front and the rear surfaces of the pouch. The seal portions 22 and 23 are formed on the two sheets 2 and 3. After that, a process is sent to a process of supplying content.

In the packing container 1B, content to be stored inside is not limited to liquid, and furthermore, the content need not to be transparent. Nevertheless, in this case, only the latent image pattern region 5 of the latent image sheet 2 can be made transparent.

In addition, in the packing container 1B, the content is supplied with such an allowance for causing the latent image pattern 5 of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization pattern 6 of the visualization sheet 3 to overlap. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in a standing (standing position) state of a content-supplying process, content assumed to be liquid and solid is supplied into the packing container 1B to about a height indicated by a sign W. A filling indication line W can be formed by being printed simultaneously with any of the latent image pattern 5, the visualization pattern 6, and the display print region 7.

After the content is supplied, an upper end portion is sealed, and the packing container 1B is completed as a shipped product.

Also in the packing container 1B of the present embodiment, a functional effect similar to that in the first embodiment can be provided.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a packing container in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a difference from the above-described first and second embodiments lies in an outline shape of the container and a side portion shape, and corresponding components other than these are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

A packing container 1C in the present embodiment is a pouch container provided with laminates 2A and 3A for a gusset that serve as side portions. In the standing (standing position) state, the two sheets 2A and 3A are sandwiched between the sheets 2 and 3 serving as the front and the rear surfaces of the pouch, and sealed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the packing container 1C, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 serving as an authentication set that makes a latent image visible, by being combined are formed on the sheets 2 and 3 serving as the front and the rear surfaces of the pouch. The latent image pattern 5, the visualization pattern 6, and the display print region 7 are printed on these two sheets 2 and 3, and the seal portions 22 and 23 are formed in a state in which the sheets 2A and 3A are sandwiched. After that, a process is sent to a process of supplying content.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the packing container 1C, content to be stored inside may be solid. In this case, the solid content can be stored in a state of being located on the bottom side of the filling indication line W (so as not to exceed the filling indication line W).

After the content is supplied, an upper end portion is sealed, and the packing container 1C is completed as a shipped product.

Also in the packing container 1C of the present embodiment, a functional effect similar to that in the above-described embodiments can be provided.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a packing container in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a difference from any of the above-described first to third embodiments lies in the shape of the container and a sheet state, and corresponding components other than these are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

In a packing container 1D in the present embodiment, both of the sheets 2 and 3 are transparent plastic plates having elasticity and rigidity, an electronic component or the like is stored in a sandwiched state in the vicinity of the center of the two sheets 2 and 3, and the surrounding thereof is sealed.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the packing container 1D, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 serving as an authentication set that makes a latent image visible, by being combined are formed on the sheets 2 and 3 serving as the front and the rear surfaces of the packing container 1D. In addition, In FIG. 7, SDHC (trademark) and a logo are trademarks of SD-3C, LLC.

Also in the packing container 1D of the present embodiment, a functional effect similar to that in the above-described embodiments can be provided. Furthermore, because the sheets have rigidity, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are not shifted. In addition, it can become easily visible that an electronic component or the like is a genuine product.

Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment of a packing container according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 8A is a front view illustrating a packing container in the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view in FIG. 8A.

In the present embodiment, a difference from any of the above-described first to fourth embodiments lies in the shape of the container and a sheet state, and corresponding components other than these are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

A packing container 1E in the present embodiment is a Press Through Package (PTP) individually storing contents WE being medicine such as tablets. The sheet 2 is a transparent plastic plate having elasticity and the sheet 3 is a film thinner than the sheet 2, a tablet or the like is stored in a sandwiched state in the vicinity of a center 1Ea of these sheets 2 and 3, and the surrounding thereof is sealed.

In the packing container 1E, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the latent image pattern 5 of the authentication set is formed on the sheet 2 serving as the front surface of the packing container 1E, and the visualization pattern 6 is formed on the film 3 being the rear surface. The vicinity of the authentication set need not be sealed.

Also in the packing container 1E of the present embodiment, a functional effect similar to that in the above-described embodiments can be provided. Furthermore, because the sheets have rigidity, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are not shifted.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment of a packing container according to the present embodiment will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a front developed view illustrating a state of a packing container in a manufacturing process of the packing container in the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a state of the packing container in the manufacturing process of the packing container in the present embodiment.

The packing container 1 according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B in the arrangement of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6, and corresponding components are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the manufacturing process of the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a sheet 1 a having the laminates 2 and 3 formed so as to be coupled at one end of an upper portion in the standing (standing position) state is used.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment is manufactured using the sheet 1 a in which the laminates 2 and 3 are coupled. A coupled long film has the laminates 2 and 3 to be cut down to form 2 packing containers. Each of them is cut down along an outline so as to form the filling opening portion 41, the discharge nozzle seal portion 24, the discharge nozzle 32, the opening notch 35, the side seal portion (seal portion) 22, and the bottom seal portion (seal portion) 23 that are illustrated in FIG. 1A and the like.

In addition, in the sheet 1 a, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the laminates 2 and 3 are formed so as to be coupled in the upper and lower directions in the standing position state when the packing container 1 is manufactured. In addition, a description will be given using the laminate 2 as an example. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the laminate 2 is formed to be coupled at the upper portion in the standing position state when the packing container 1 is manufactured.

In the manufacturing method of the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment, after the latent image pattern region (latent image pattern) 5, the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6, and the display print region 7 are printed on the sheet 1 a illustrated in FIG. 9, using ink, the sheet 1 a is folded back at a scored line 8, and the laminate 4 serving as the bottom tape 4 is tucked in, and the discharge nozzle seal portion 24, the side seal portion (seal portion) 22, the bottom seal portion (seal portion) 23 are sealed. The scored line 8 is set at a position in the vicinity of the center of the sheet 1 a that is in the vicinity of the filling opening portion 41 in each of the packing containers 1, so as to be substantially parallel to the filling opening portion 41.

After the sheet 1 a is folded back by doubling up at the scored line 8, and the above-described sealing is applied, or simultaneously with the sealing, the sheet 1 a is cut down so as to have a predetermined outline, and the packing containers 1 coupled at the upper portion in the standing (standing position) state are formed. After that, in the filling opening portion 41, the two packing containers 1 are cut off.

In the present embodiment, the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 are provided at positions extremely close to the filling opening portion 41. With this configuration, in the packing container 1, content supplied in the standing (standing position) state of the content-supplying process can avoid disturbing the adhesion of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6. Thus, only by bringing the inner surfaces of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 into contact with each other, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 can be overlapped, and the latent image portion 5 b can be easily visualized, so that an image-forming member can be made visually recognizable.

At the same time, in the position adjustment in the bag manufacturing preparation, diagrams and images such as characters and images in the latent image portion 5 b can be visualized, and it can be visually checked easily that the front and the rear of the pouch are matched (that no position shift occurs between the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3). This can enhance yield by shortening work time and reducing work errors. Furthermore, even when it is checked during the bag manufacturing whether pasting positions (sealing positions) of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 are shifted, the presence or absence of a shift can be easily checked only by visually recognizing whether characters and images and the like are visualized in the latent image portion 5 b.

Seventh Embodiment

The seventh embodiment of a packing container according to the present embodiment will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 11 is a front developed view illustrating a state of a packing container in a manufacturing process of the packing container in the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a state of the packing container in the manufacturing process of the packing container in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front developed view illustrating a state of the packing container in the manufacturing process of the packing container in the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a front developed view illustrating a state of the packing container in the manufacturing process of the packing container in the present embodiment.

The packing container 1 according to the present embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 in the arrangement of a scored line, and corresponding components are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the manufacturing process of the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a sheet 1 b having the laminates 2 and 3 formed so as to be coupled at one end of an upper portion in the standing (standing position) state is used.

Similarly to the sixth embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment is manufactured using the sheet 1 b in which the laminates 2 and 3 are coupled. A coupled long film has the laminates 2 and 3 to be cut down to form 2 packing containers. Each of them is cut down along an outline so as to form the filling opening portion 41, the discharge nozzle seal portion 24, the discharge nozzle 32, the opening notch 35, the side seal portion (seal portion) 22, and the bottom seal portion (seal portion) 23.

In addition, in the sheet 1 a, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the laminates 2 and 3 are formed so as to be coupled in the upper and lower directions in the standing position state when the packing container 1 is manufactured. In addition, a description will be given using the laminate 3 as an example. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the laminate 3 is formed to be coupled at the bottom portion (bottom side) in the standing position state when the packing container 1 is manufactured.

In a manufacturing method of the packing container 1 according to the present embodiment, after the latent image pattern region (latent image pattern) 5, the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6, and the display print region 7 are printed on the sheet 1 a illustrated in FIG. 11, using ink, the sheet 1 a is folded back at scored lines 8 a and 8 b, and the laminate 4 serving as the bottom tape 4 is tucked in, and the discharge nozzle seal portion 24, the side seal portion (seal portion) 22, the bottom seal portion (seal portion) 23 are sealed. The two scored lines 8 a and 8 b are set in the vicinity of left and right quarter positions in the width direction of the sheet 1 a that are in the vicinity of the filling opening portions 41 of the respective packing containers 1, and are set so as to be substantially parallel to the filling opening portions 41.

After the left and right ends of the sheet 1 a are folded back at the scored lines 8 a and 8 b toward a center line 9, and the above-described sealing is applied, or simultaneously with the sealing, the sheet 1 a is cut down so as to have a predetermined outline, and the packing containers 1 coupled at the upper portion in the standing (standing position) state are formed. After that, in the bottom portion 4 in the vicinity of the center line 9, the two packing containers 1 are cut off.

In the present embodiment, the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 are provided at positions extremely close to the scored lines 8 a and 8 b. In this manner, because distances from the scored lines 8 a and 8 b to the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 are close, when the left and right ends of the sheet 1 a are folded back at the scored lines 8 a and 8 b toward the center line 9, the position adjustment of the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 becomes easy, the occurrence of a shift can be prevented, and accurate visualization can be performed in the bag manufacturing. Yields in the bag manufacturing can be thereby enhanced.

Furthermore, in a printing process, a bag-manufacturing process, and the like, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 13, when the sheet 1 a is pulled by the tension (tensile force) of a manufacturing device, or heating processing in the printing process, a sealing process, or the like is performed, or if heat is applied during the manufacturing, the contraction and the extension of the sheet 1 a occur non-uniformly, and twist is generated in some cases. Because distances from the scored lines 8 a and 8 b to the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 are close, and distances between the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 across the scored lines 8 a and 8 b are close, the influence of twist can be reduced, and the occurrence of a shift in the position adjustment of the visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 6 and the display print region 7 can be prevented.

In addition, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 14, the term twist means a shift Z generated in a crosswise direction in the standing (standing position) state of the manufactured packing container 1, in a width direction (the left and right direction indicated in the drawing) in the long sheet 1 a.

In the packing container 1 of the present embodiment, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are arranged in the vicinity of the scored lines 8 a and 8 b set in the vicinity of the filling opening portions 41 in the upper portions in the standing (standing position) state. Thus, content supplied in the standing (standing position) state during the content-supplying process can avoid disturbing the adhesion of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6. Thus, only by bringing the inner surfaces of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 into contact with each other, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 can be overlapped, and the latent image portion 5 b can be easily visualized, so that an image-forming member can be made visually recognizable.

At the same time, in the position adjustment in the bag manufacturing preparation, diagrams and images such as characters and images in the latent image portion 5 b can be visualized, and it can be visually checked easily that the front and the rear of the pouch are matched (that no position shift occurs between the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3). This can enhance yield by shortening work time and reducing work errors. Furthermore, even when it is checked during the bag manufacturing whether pasting positions (sealing positions) of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 are shifted, the presence or absence of a shift can be easily checked only by visually recognizing whether characters and images and the like are visualized in the latent image portion 5 b.

Eighth Embodiment

The eighth embodiment of a packing container according to the present embodiment will be described below based on the drawings.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams illustrating a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern in the present embodiment.

The packing container 1 according to the present embodiment differs from each of the above-described embodiments in a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern, and a manufacturing method thereof, and corresponding components are assigned the same signs and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 15, FIG. 15(a) is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating halftone dots forming an image in the latent image pattern 5, viewed from the top, and FIG. 15(b) is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating hairlines forming the visualization pattern 6, viewed from the top.

As illustrated in FIG. 15(b), the latent image pattern 5 is formed by a non-latent image portion (background) 5 a formed by halftone dots having a uniform pitch, and a latent image portion 5 b formed by halftone dots having a shifted pitch with respect to the non-latent image portion 5 a. A line width M1 of each of the halftone dots, and an interval M2 of the line of the halftone dots are set in the following manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 15(a), the visualization pattern 6 is formed by hairlines 6 a having a pitch equal to a pitch in the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a, and corresponding to the lines of halftone dots in the non-latent image portion (background) 5 a. In addition, a line width M1 of each of the hairlines, and an interval M2 of the hairlines are set in the following manner.

Here, the pitch refers to an interval in a d direction indicated in the drawings.

0.01 mm≦M1≦0.15 mm

0.01 mm≦M2≦0.15 mm  <Condition 1>

By using a range of the above-described line width M1, the possibility of the occurrence of a printing failure caused when a line width is too thin and ink cannot be applied on a plate can be reduced. In addition, by setting the interval M2 to fall within the above-described range, a situation in which an interval is too narrow and ink is blurred, and visualization cannot be performed can be prevented.

Furthermore, by setting the line width M1 and the interval M2 to fall into the above-described ranges, a replica can be prevented from being easily manufactured by scanning the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6. If the line width M1 and the interval M2 are made larger, scanning becomes easy in some cases, which is not preferable.

0.03 mm≦M1≦0.45 mm

0.03 mm≦M2≦0.45 mm

0.2≦(M2/M1)≦10  <Condition 2>

By using a range of the above-described line width M1, the possibility of the occurrence of a printing failure caused when a line width is too thin and ink cannot be applied on a plate can be reduced. In addition, by setting the interval M2 to fall within the above-described range, a situation in which an interval is too narrow and ink is blurred, and visualization cannot be performed can be prevented.

Furthermore, by setting the line width M1 and the interval M2 to fall into the above-described ranges, a replica can be prevented from being easily manufactured by scanning the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6.

Furthermore, by setting the line width M1 and the interval M2, and the ratio thereof to fall into the above-described ranges, a replica can be prevented from being easily manufactured by scanning the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6. If the line width M1 and the interval M2, and a ratio M2/M1 are made larger, scanning becomes easy in some cases, which is not preferable.

These data are described in Table 1.

In addition, conditions are similar to examples described later.

TABLE 1 CELL PLATE Line width (mm) Interval (mm) Ratio Determination 0.009 — — C: Unprintable 0.16 0.5 1:3.1 C: Without security 0.01 0.3 1:30 C: Without security 0.01 0.1 1:10 A 0.15 0.03 1:0.2 A 0.1 0.1 1:1 A 0.15 0.02 1:0.13 C: Without reproducibility

In addition, in Table 1, A: with reproducibility and security, C: without security, unprintable, or without reproducibility are indicated.

In the present embodiment, because parameters are set as described above, forgery performed by the others can be prevented, and a vivid latent image can be manufactured to be visible.

Here, in the printing process of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6, as illustrated in FIG. 16(a), when a screenless plate P1 in which an embankment crossing over in the width direction in a thin line is not formed is used, when the line width M1 is too thin, ink may spill over and the line width M1 may fail to be correctly set. It is therefore preferable to set within the range of the above-described line width M1.

In addition, in the printing process of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6, as illustrated in FIG. 16(b), when a cell plate P2 having a cylinder cell holding ink is used, when the line width M1 is too thin, ink may fail to be applied onto the plate, and a predetermined line width M1 may fail to be correctly set. It is therefore preferable to set within the range of the above-described line width M1. At the same time, if the width of the interval M2 is narrow, ink is blurred, and visualization cannot be performed. It is therefore preferable to set within the range of the above-described line width M2.

In each of the above-described embodiments, by making a difference in size between the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 larger, that is, by forming the latent image pattern 5 to be larger than the visualization pattern 6, or by forming the visualization pattern 6 to be larger than the latent image pattern 5, even when a position shift between the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 occurs and a pitch shift accordingly occurs, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 can be overlapped and a latent image can be visualized.

With this configuration, not only when the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 are separated from the seal portions 22, 23, and 24, by making either of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 larger, even if the positions of the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3 shift to some extent, an image can be formed.

Examples

Next, examples in the present embodiment will be described.

Using a gravure printer, low-density polyethylene resin was prepared as the sheet 1 a, printing conditions were set in the following manner, the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6 were printed, and a reproducibility check of visualization was performed.

<Printing Conditions>

-   -   Gravure printing type (screenless plate, cell plate)     -   Printing speed (running speed of the sheet 1 a; m/min)     -   Ink viscosity (CPS: centipoise=mPa·s)     -   Line width M1 (mm)     -   Interval M2 (mm)     -   M2/M1 (ratio)

These conditions are indicated in Table 2, and the results thereof are indicated in Table 3.

In addition, in the reproducibility check of visualization, when visualized characters and symbols cannot be visually determined, the reproducibility was determined as “without reproducibility”, when scanning can be performed using a copying machine or the like, the reproducibility was determined as “without security”, and when an abnormality in a pattern was visually found before the visualization of a latent image, the reproducibility was determined as “unprintable”.

TABLE 2 Printing speed (m/min) Viscosity (CPS) 100 10~60 150 200 250 300

TABLE 3 Ratio Plate type Line width (mm) 1:0.4 1:0.5 1:1 1:2 1:3 Cell plate 0.08 C C B C C 0.01 C B A A C 0.05 C A A A B 0.1 B A A A A 0.15 B A A A A 0.2 C: Without security Screenless plate 0.08-0.2 C: Visualization impossible

In addition, in Table 3, A: with reproducibility and security, B: no problem in reproducibility (level inferior to A), with security, C: without security, or visualization impossible are indicated.

Thus, it can be seen that, when gravure printing is performed, the line width M1 in the range in which the reproducibility of visualization is provided, and the security can be ensured is preferably in the range of 0.01 mm≦M1≦0.15 mm for both of the latent image pattern 5 and the visualization pattern 6, and the ratio of the line width M1 and the interval M2 is in the range of 0.5≦(M2/M1)≦2.

In addition, in the screenless plate, ink spills over in all the conditions, and the reproducibility was determined as visualization impossible. Nevertheless, if ink and machine conditions or the like are reviewed, and if printing can be performed under the above-described conditions, printing can be performed using the screenless plate.

From these results, by setting conditions such as the line width M1, the interval M2, and the ratio into the above-described range, a packing container can be provided that can ensure reproducibility in the visualization of a latent image while maintaining security.

Ninth Embodiment

The ninth embodiment of a packing container according to the present embodiment will be described below based on the drawings.

The usage of the above-described visualization pattern and the latent image pattern is not limited to the packing container having the configuration described in each of the embodiments, and they can be used in other packing containers having various configurations, and the formation location of each pattern is not limited to that in each of the above-described embodiments.

For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, a pair of the latent image pattern region 5 and the visualization pattern region 6 are formed on the latent image sheet 2 and the visualization sheet 3, respectively. Nevertheless, if these patterns can be overlapped, they need not be formed on separated sheets. For example, a configuration in which these patterns are formed on the same sheet to form an authentication set, and the latent image pattern region 5 and the visualization pattern region 6 are overlapped by folding the sheet, and a latent image is visualized may be used. Such an example will be described below.

FIG. 17A is a front view illustrating a packing container 51 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 17B is a front view illustrating a state in which the upper portion of the packing container 51 in FIG. 17A is folded.

In the drawings, the packing container 51 is a container having a configuration in which a main body front surface laminate 52 and a main body rear surface laminate 53 are opposed, and a storage unit 54 is provided therebetween, and a container upper portion 55, a container bottom portion 56, and left and right container side portions 57 and 58 are each provided with a seal portion 59 so as to surround the storage unit 54 to seal the four sides.

Specifically, two sheets of the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53 are overlapped, and the seal portions 59 on the four sides are formed by heat-sealing the container upper portion, the container bottom portion, and both container side portions, and the shape in front view when the main body front surface laminate 52 facing front is viewed is rectangle. When the packing container 51 is manufactured, for example, two belt-like sheets (a belt-like sheet for the main body front surface laminate, and a belt-like sheet for the main body rear surface laminate) pulled out from separate roll members or the like are overlapped, and for one container of the packing container on the belt-like sheet, portions corresponding to three sides of one container are heat-sealed in a state in which a portion corresponding to a filling port is left. For making suitable for heat-sealing, the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53 are formed of films of laminates having at least a base material and a sealant layer, and heat-sealing is performed by overlapping the sealant layers in an opposed state.

A nozzle is inserted into a filling port of one container in a continuous body of the packing containers, and liquid, powder, and the like are supplied into the storage unit. If the supplying ends, the portion of the filling port is heat-sealed and the storage unit is closed, and the continuous containers are cut off therebetween. A packing container having a storage unit filled with a certain amount of content is thereby obtained for one container. A storage unit including a discharge path for discharging content is formed by heat-sealing as described later. In addition, by cutting in or cutting down a heat-sealed portion of the storage container, a portion for enabling the below-described engagement is formed.

The packing container 51 includes a content discharge path 60. The content discharge path 60 is coupled to the storage unit 54, and extends over from the storage unit 54 to the container upper portion 55. As illustrated in the drawing, the content discharge path 60 tapers off to a point in a substantially cuspidal shape protruding upward while the upper portion of the storage unit 54 extends upward, and is biased toward the above-described other container side portion 58 side, and is formed in a substantially triangular shape in a front view state. Furthermore, an upper end portion of the content discharge path 60 is a discharge port expected formation portion 61. In this manner, the discharge port expected formation portion 61 is provided only on a container upper corner portion side being the other container side portion 58 side.

The discharge port expected formation portion 61 is a portion for obtaining a discharge port by removing a leading end portion of the content discharge path 60 together with the seal portion 59 approaching the leading end portion. In addition, for a user opening the packing container so as to easily check a cutting position visually, the discharge port expected formation portion 61 is indicated as a printing instruction line crossing over the leading end portion of the content discharge path 60 in the container width direction. In addition, for facilitating manual cutting, in the discharge port expected formation portion 61, half cut can be applied by laser emission to the front surface sides of the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53, or the front surface side of one sheet.

In the present embodiment, a seal boundary portion 62 on one container side portion 57 of the above-described content discharge path 60 has a slanted straight line shape. In this manner, the content discharge path 60 in the present embodiment is formed as a pathway having as both sides, a slanted seal boundary portion on one container side portion 57 side, and a seal portion on the other container side portion 58 side. On the side being one container side portion 57 side of the content discharge path 60 across the linear seal boundary portion 62, there are seal portions 59 on the left and right sides of the storage unit 54, and a seal portion 59 having a width wider than the seal portion 59 of the container bottom portion 56.

The wider width and wider area seal portion 59 is a heat-sealed portion of the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53, and a plate-like seal thin plate 63 spreading as a plane is formed. As illustrated in the drawing, the content discharge path 60 and the seal thin plate 63 having a wide width and a wide area plate-like shape are provided side by side in the container width direction, and in front view, the seal thin plate 63 has a triangular shape oriented in an opposite direction to the content discharge path 60. By providing the portion of the content discharge path 60 having a triangular shape and a substantially cuspidal shape protruding upward, and the portion of the seal thin plate 63, side by side in the container width direction, the entire packing container 51 fits into the rectangle.

As described above, in the container upper portion 55, the content discharge path 60 and the seal thin plate 63 of the seal portion 59 having a positional relationship of being arranged side by side in the container width direction are provided with an expected bent portion 64 extending in the container width direction. The expected bent portion 64 is a portion at which the container upper portion 55 is to be bent downward. In the present embodiment, the expected bent portion 64 is set at a height position passing through a substantially center portion in a container height direction of the content discharge path 60 so that a portion crossing over the range of the content discharge path 60 and a portion crossing over the range of the seal thin plate 63 of the seal portion 59 have a substantially equal length.

The above-described expected bent portion 64 is formed in a straight-line shape, and is provided so that, by bending the container upper portion 55 at the position of the expected bent portion 64, the inner surfaces of the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53 in the content discharge path 60 contact at the bent portion of the container, to block the content discharge path 60 at the bent portion of the container. A printing instruction line can be provided at the position of the expected bent portion 64. This facilitates the checking of the position at which the container is to be bent, which is preferable.

In addition, the expected bent portion 64 in the present embodiment is indicated as a dashed-dotted straight line in the drawing. Nevertheless, it is only required that the content discharge path 60 be blocked by the bending of the container, and the shape is not limited to the shape in which an expected bent portion itself has a straight-line shape, and a cross section of a bent portion of a container becomes a corner-shape. In the present embodiment, by bending the container, the cross section of the bent portion of the container forms a small arc shape, and the content discharge path 60 is blocked in this state.

The seal thin plate 63 is provided with a bent state-maintaining means 66 for maintaining a bent state of the container at an expected bent portion 65. The bent state-maintaining means 66 in the present embodiment has a pair of engagement portions 66 a and 66 b (first engagement portion and second engagement portion) provided at opposite positions when the container is bent in such a manner that the seal thin plate 63 is bent at the expected bent portion 64 on the one container side portion 57 on the seal thin plate 63. The engagement portion 66 a and the engagement portion 66 b are provided so as to be able to engage with each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 17A, the engagement portion 66 a in the present embodiment is an engagement piece 67 cutting-formed by a cut applied so as to reach the outer rim of the container upper portion 55 (upper end rim of the container). In addition, as illustrated in the drawing, the engagement portion 66 a has a positional relationship of being arranged so as to face and be separated in the container width direction from the discharge port expected formation portion 61. In addition, the other engagement portion 66 b is an engagement piece 68 cutting-formed by a cut applied so as to reach the side end rim of the one container side portion 57 being a bottom portion of the seal thin plate 63. By causing the engagement portions 66 a and 66 b, that is, the engagement piece 67 and the engagement piece 68 to engage with each other by bending the container, the bent state of the container is maintained, and the blocked state of the content discharge path 60 is thereby maintained. If the engagement relationship of the engagement piece 67 and the engagement piece 68 is released, a restoring force generated in the container bent portion of the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53 causes the container upper portion 55 to rise up, so that the content discharge path 60 is unblocked.

The packing container 51 of the present embodiment is devised for facilitating the formation of a discharge port for discharging content from the content discharge path 60. In other words, the packing container 51 is devised for facilitating manual cut down along the position of the discharge port expected formation portion 61 located at the leading end portion of the content discharge path 60. First, at the center of the container upper portion 55, there is a longitudinal scored line portion 69 formed by discontinuous slits extending downward from the upper end rim of the container upper portion to reach the vicinity of the above-described seal boundary portion 62. In addition, there is a slanted cutoff portion 70 that is connected to the lower end of the longitudinal scored line portion 69, and is formed by slits applied so as to reach the end portion of the discharge port expected formation portion 61 in parallel with the seal boundary portion 62.

By longitudinally cutting off at the longitudinal scored line portion 69, and then, nipping and holding a tongue-shaped portion formed between the position of the cut-off longitudinal scored line portion 69 and the slanted cutoff portion 70, and pulling the tongue-shaped portion in the container width direction toward the other container side portion 58 side, the discharge port expected formation portion 61 is torn down, so that a discharge port 71 (FIG. 17B) is easily formed.

In the packing container 51 according to the present embodiment, the main body front surface laminate 52 is provided with a latent image pattern region (latent image pattern) 75 and a visualization pattern region (visualization pattern) 76 as illustrated in FIG. 17A. In the present embodiment, the latent image pattern region 75 and the visualization pattern region 76 are formed at symmetrical positions with respect to the expected bent portion 64 so as not to overlap content, and form an authentication set that makes a latent image visible by overlapping each other when the container upper portion 55 is bent downward. These patterns are each printed using ink. In addition, in the main body front surface laminate 52 and the main body rear surface laminate 53, portions corresponding to the latent image pattern region 75 and the visualization pattern region 76 are transparent. As the latent image pattern region 75 and the visualization pattern region 76, those described in each of the above-described embodiments can be similarly used.

As illustrated in FIG. 17B, the content discharge path 60 opened in the above-described manner can be closed by bending the container at the position of the expected bent portion 64, causing the engagement piece 67 and the engagement piece 68 serving as the bent state-maintaining means 66 to engage with each other. Thus, the operation of blocking the content discharge path 60 can also be easily performed. In addition, when the content discharge path 60 is closed, true-false determination or the like can be performed together by using an additional authentication set.

The packing container of the present invention can be used for food, nonfood, medical products, favorite items, and the like. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packing container, comprising: a sheet which defines a storage unit which stores content, wherein the sheet comprises a latent image pattern and a visualization pattern that visualizes a latent image when the latent image pattern is overlapped.
 2. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is a laminate comprising a base material and a sealant layer, wherein a seal portion formed by sealing a rim portion so that the sealant layer opposes is further comprised, and wherein the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are provided so as not to overlap the seal portion.
 3. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises a first sheet portion comprising the latent image pattern and forming a first surface of the packing container, and a second sheet portion comprising the visualization pattern, opposing the first surface, and forming a second surface of the packing container, and wherein at least either one of regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed is transparent.
 4. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is a long sheet forming a first surface of the packing container and a second surface opposing the first surface, by being folded back, and wherein at least either one of regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed is transparent.
 5. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises a first sheet portion comprising the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern, and forming a first surface of the packing container, and a second sheet portion opposing the first surface and forming a second surface of the packing container, wherein the visualization pattern is provided in the first sheet portion so as to overlap the latent image pattern when the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are both folded back, and wherein at least regions in which the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed are transparent.
 6. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the latent image pattern and the visualization pattern are formed by printing.
 7. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the latent image pattern comprises a latent image formed by a plurality of periodical first elements, and a background formed by periodical second elements having a different phase, pitch, or array direction from that of the latent image, and wherein the visualization pattern comprises a pattern formed by a plurality of periodical third elements that visualizes the latent image by being overlapped with the latent image pattern.
 8. The packing container according to claim 7, wherein, in the latent image pattern, the latent image and the background comprise halftone dots linearly arrayed at a uniform pitch, and pitches of the latent image and the background shift by ¼ to ¾, and wherein the visualization pattern comprises hairlines comprising the same pitch as the latent image and the background.
 9. The packing container according to claim 8, wherein, in the latent image pattern, pitches of the latent image and the background shift by ½.
 10. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the latent image patterns and a plurality of the visualization patterns are provided.
 11. The packing container according to claim 3, wherein the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion form a pouch container.
 12. The packing container according to claim 5, wherein the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion comprise a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that engage with each other when the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are folded back. 